Weddings - June 27, 2016

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Weddings Guide

Monday, June 27, 2016

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WEDDINGS

Monday, June 27, 2016

How to build your wedding budget

Harrisonburg, Va.

How to organize wedding planning exceed those budgets if they are not routinely monitoring and recording their spending or the spending they are committing to upon signing contracts with vendors. Create a spending spreadsheet that allows you to track how much you have already spent, how much you are committed to spending and when wedding bills are due. Update the spreadsheet whenever you write a check or sign a new contract, and periodically examine the sheet so you can make sure you are still on track to remain at or under budget.

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ouples engaged to be married have a lot on their plates as they begin planning their weddings. Whereas tradition once demanded parents of the bride pay for a couple’s wedding, nowadays more and more engaged couples are completely or partially financing their own nuptials. That means prospective brides and grooms must develop wedding budgets that won’t ensure their first act as Mr. and Mrs. is paying down debt.

In its 2015 Real Weddings Study, online bridal resource The Knot found that many couples still receive substantial financial support from their parents to pay for their weddings. The survey found that, on average, the bride’s parent’s contributed 44 percent of the overall wedding budget in 2015, while couples financed 43 percent (the remaining 13 percent was financed by the groom’s parents and additional sources).

Couples who hope to follow that formula or pay for their weddings on their own can heed the following tips to build wedding budgets that won’t break the bank but will still ensure a day to remember forever.

Examine your collective finances. Few couples know the details of each other’s finances before getting engaged. While some may still hesitate to share their personal financial information upon getting engaged, an open and honest discussion and examination of each person’s finances is the only way to develop a realistic wedding budget that both partners can live with. Once couples know what they can contribute, they can then consult their parents to determine if their mothers and fathers are intending to contribute.

Develop a preliminary guest list. A preliminary guest list can give couples an idea of how large and expensive their weddings will be. According to the Real Weddings Study, the average cost per wedding guest in 2015 was $237. While that

cost can vary greatly depending on geography and other factors, couples should keep that figure in mind when drafting their guest lists. If need be, keep costs down by trimming the guest list so it includes only close family members and friends.

Don’t count on gifts. Many couples justify runaway wedding budgets by telling themselves that they will ultimately get the money back via wedding gifts. While many guests will give financial gifts, counting on such windfalls is a recipe for accruing debt. Do not build potential wedding gifts into your wedding budget. If you do so and your expectations fall short, you could be facing considerable debt upon returning home from your honeymoon.

Gather quotes before choosing where to tie the knot. Where couples get married will have a great impact on how much money they will spend on their weddings. For example, the Real Weddings Study found that, in 2015, the average wedding in Manhattan cost couples slightly more than $82,000, while the average Alaskan wedding cost just over $17,000. Venues within the same city can vary greatly with regard to pricing and offerings as well, so couples should give themselves ample time to gather quotes and find an affordable venue they like.

Build extra costs into your budget. When determining a budget you can live with, remember to include a little extra for unforeseen costs. Weddings are large undertakings, and it’s reasonable to expect some unforeseen costs to arise. Building such costs into your initial budget will make these unforeseen circumstances that much easier to handle.

Budgets can help couples stay on track and avoid debt as they plan their weddings.

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eddings require a lot of planning.

Couples hosting large weddings or even intimate gatherings can easily be overwhelmed by the amount of planning they must do to make their weddings into events they will remember and cherish forever.

Staying organized when planning a wedding is a tall task. It’s wise to expect the unexpected when organizing a wedding, and the more organized couples can stay, the more fun they can have during the planning process and the better they can handle the unforeseen circumstances that are bound to arise in the months leading up to the wedding.

Hire a planner. If wedding planning is proving especially overwhelming or if you simply don’t have time to do all the legwork necessary to plan on your own, hire a wedding planner.

Wedding planners are invaluable resources who can help couples quickly connect with vendors who can meet their needs while staying within their budgets. Planners also can advise couples on ways to save money and which areas of the wedding should not be bargain basement. Couples planning destination weddings should inquire about resort-affiliated wedding planners before choosing a venue to host their ceremonies and/or guests.

According to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, the average length of engagement for couples who wed in 2015 was 14.5 months.

Create separate filing systems for each aspect of the wedding. Rather than maintaining one massive file with information about various elements of the wedding, maintain separate files for each aspect of the wedding. For example, when receiving quotes from prospective florists, keep all florist quotes in a single folder that remains separate from information about other parts of the wedding. Separate filing systems make it easier to find quotes and contracts when you need to, saving you the trouble of digging through pages upon pages of quotes, notes and other information you store.

Start early. According to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, the average length of engagement for couples who wed in 2015 was 14.5 months. That means today’s average couples have more than a year to plan their nuptials. By starting their wedding planning early, couples can avoid having to plan everything at the last minute, which can be hectic, nerve-wracking and unorganized.

In addition, starting early affords couples more time to find great deals and stay within their budgets.

Maintain a spending spreadsheet.

Many couples plan weddings on carefully constructed budgets. But couples can easily

Staying organized when planning a wedding can make for more enjoyable planning and a happier wedding day.

Harrisonburg, Va.

WEDDINGS

At Reflections our goal is to create an unforgettable experience, thus leaving each bride one hundred percent satisfied with all of her bridal decisions. From the moment you step in to our store, our staff is here to assist you from start to finish. We pride ourselves on providing the personal attention and care that each bride deserves during this exciting time in her life.

Reflections Bridal 51-D Burgess Rd., Harrisonburg, VA 22801 (540) 432-8700 | www.Reflectionsva.com Mon.-Fri. 11 AM – 6 PM | Sat. 10 AM – 5 PM | Sun. Closed Other Hours by Appointment

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WEDDINGS

Monday, June 27, 2016

Harrisonburg, Va.

Build a registry to relish

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egistries are a wedding tradition, not unlike a couple’s first dance or the best man/maid of honor toast. But as practical as wedding registries are, many couples approach their registries with a degree

of hesitation, fearful that they might appear presumptuous or simply uncertain about what to include on their lists. The following tips can help engaged couples build a registry to relish and utilize for years to come.

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Establish an online registry. Whereas guests once had to visit a couple’s favorite retailer(s) and ask what remained on their registry, online registries now allow well-meaning family members and friends to peruse potential gifts from the comforts of home and ship gifts directly to the couple. Online registries even indicate which items have already been purchased, saving couples the trouble of returning duplicates while reassuring buyers that their gifts are fulfilling a need or want.

Share your registry information on your wedding website and stationery. Guests need to know where you are registered, so share that information on your wedding website and include it on your save-the-date cards and invitations.

Register with multiple retailers. By registering with more than one retailer, couples can give their guests more options to choose from. Try to include one brick-and-mortar store, ideally one with a national presence, so guests who prefer to shop in-person won’t be forced to buy online.

Don’t be afraid to list expensive items. While few guests will break the bank to buy wedding gifts, that does not mean couples should avoid including expensive items on their registries.

Some couples might feel it’s inappropriate, but it can actually prove practical. Many stores offer couples steep discounts on items they listed on their registries that ultimately were not purchased. If you have your eye on an especially expensive item, include it on your list without worrying about how it may look to your guests, as they will understand when you explain the post-wedding discount you’re eligible for.

Don’t limit your registry to expensive items. While it’s perfectly acceptable to include expensive items on your registry, remember that variety is the spice of life when adding items to your registry. Include items at a range of

price points for guests working with various budgets. Don’t hesitate to include low-cost items, as some guests may enjoy building a wedding gift basket with various affordable items from your registry.

Remember that no gift is too obscure.

Thanks to the Internet, just about any item can now be tracked down by ambitious gift givers.

If you want to include items that might not be available at run-of-the-mill retailers, choose an online retailer such as Amazon to host one of your registries. Such sites are great places to find specialty items or more obscure offerings that might be out of stock at more traditional retailers.

Encourage donations. If you are truly hesitant to ask for gifts or you’re tying the knot later in life and already have everything you need, encourage guests to donate to a favorite charity in lieu of making a donation.

A wedding registry provides a practical way for well-meaning wedding guests to show their love for brides- and grooms-to-be.

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Harrisonburg, Va.

Your DIY wedding guide

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s the cost of the average wedding continues to rise, it’s understandable that couples ready to tie the knot may be seeking any and all ways to save money.

While some aspects of a wedding are better left to the professionals, others are prime for a little do-it-yourself cost cutting. Couples should just be sure they have the skills and resources available to handle portions of their weddings on their own. Otherwise, the cost savings may be negated by trial and error. The following are some areas that may be a good fit for couples looking to try their own DIY techniques.

Floral centerpieces: While floral bouquets and boutonniéres are probably best left to professional florists, couples may want to try making their own reception table centerpieces.

Such centerpieces can be simple displays of fresh flowers in vases or more intricate designs. Test out any ideas prior to the wedding.

Remember to keep arrangement height in mind.

You do not want to obscure the views of seated guests.

Cake: Ask a pastry chef or bakery to make you a small cake that can be used for cake-cutting traditions and photo opportunities, but have your own cake available to serve. Sheet cakes are much less expensive than more intricate tiered cakes, but they can be just as delicious. Guests may not even know the difference if the cake is sliced and served out of the reception site’s

kitchen. Purchase the cake or make it on your own.

Invitations: Professionally designed invitations can look beautiful, but not everyone has the budget for embossing or engraving and expensive paper stock. Thanks to graphic design and page layout software, computersavvy couples can design and print their invites right from home. That makes it easy to create a new invitation if you miscounted or if you have a last-minute addition to the guest list.

Favors: Create favors that work with the theme of your wedding and make them yourself. These can be candles, fruit preserves, soaps, baked goods, or anything else that appeals to you. The cost of making them in bulk may turn out to be less than purchasing manufactured items. Plus, guests get to take home something that came directly from you.

Video: Enlist a friend or family member to capture the wedding and after-party on video for you. You can use video-editing software available through popular apps to piece together your own wedding video memento.

Couples about to tie the knot can become more hands-on in wedding planning and execution. By handling some of the work themselves, couples can save a considerable amount of money. A do-it-yourself approach also may foster feelings of pride in a job well done.

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Save your rainy wedding day the venue to recommend potential photo locations around the building. ar Consider a tent. Some Consid wedding venues are wed exclusively outdoors, ex meaning they don’t m have backup options indoors on their premises. If that’s the case, couples ccan rent tents to sserve as their safety nets. Tents can be ne expensive, and some expe couples may not want to pay for a tent ten they ultimately may not use. But tents may be a couple’s only option if their chosen venue has no indoor alternatives.

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ature can make a couple’s wedding day that much more special. Beautiful backdrops like ocean waves or rolling country hills lend a lot to a wedding, making the day even more special for couples and their guests.

But Mother Nature is the inherent risk of hosting an outdoor wedding. Weather is unpredictable, and couples who hope to tie the knot in the great outdoors must develop a contingency plan just in case Mother Nature decides to rain on the parade. While outdoor wedding venues often have backup venues in place should the weather prove uncooperative, couples can take some additional steps to ensure their rainy wedding days still go off without a hitch.

Find a place to take photos. Wedding photos document a couple’s big day, and many couples arrange for outdoor photos whether they’re tying the knot indoors or outdoors. But couples must arrange for a place to take photos in case outdoors is not an option. If possible, walk the grounds of your ceremony or reception site with your photographer in the weeks before the wedding to scout out potential areas to shoot indoors in case the weather is not cooperating. Ask a representative from

Establish a cutoff time. Depending on how remote the ceremony location is, couples might be able to wait until a few hours before their weddings to decide if they will still tie the knot outdoors. Make the call earlier if your wedding is to be held at an especially remote location. But no matter where the wedding is, establish a cutoff time to let guests know if the wedding will be indoors or outdoors.

Include such information on your wedding website and/or invitations. Use a social media platform such as Facebook or Twitter to inform guests of your final decision.

Provide umbrellas. Some inclement weather may not be enough to deter couples or guests from braving the great outdoors.

Couples getting married in the summer may be able to withstand a summer shower, but provide guests with umbrellas just to be safe.

The umbrellas will make for a nice wedding gift, and hopefully couples and guests won’t even need to use them.

Insure the wedding. Couples who are hosting destination weddings on tropical isles should look into insuring their weddings.

Such islands might be susceptible to harmful storms like hurricanes that can prevent weddings from taking place. Insurance can cover couples for a host of unforeseen circumstances, including weather.

Outdoor weddings can be magical, but couples must build contingency plans in case Mother Nature proves uncooperative come the big day.

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Monday, June 27, 2016

WEDDINGS

Harrisonburg, Va.

How to handle a wedding around a holiday

Let guests know your holiday-wedding intentions as soon as you finalize the date.

hile summer and fall are the most popular times of year to get married, couples can tie the knot whenever they choose, including on holidays.

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because they already have travel plans that weekend. Let guests know your holidaywedding intentions as soon as you finalize the date.

Holiday weddings tend to stray from the norm, and that can make for a memorable night for couples and their guests. For example, couples who choose to get married on Halloween may encourage their guests to arrive and celebrate in costume, making for a unique experience for all in attendance.

But planning weddings that take place on a holiday or holiday weekend may require a little extra effort.

Start looking for vendors as soon as possible. Vendors, including caterers and photographers, tend to be busy on holiday weekends, so start looking as early as possible. It’s important to comparison shop, but couples who wait too long to sign contracts with vendors might find themselves paying more and/or choosing whoever is available as opposed to their top choices.

Research venues before finalizing the date. Couples who have their eyes set on certain venues to host their ceremonies and receptions should research the availability of those venues on holidays or holiday weekends before finalizing their wedding date. Some venues may have preexisting agreements with local community organizations that may prohibit them from hosting weddings or limit their available time slots. Confirm the availability of your ideal venues before making your date official.

Plan to pay a little more. As noted, vendors tend to be busy on holidays and during holiday weekends, and their prices may reflect the high demand for their services.

Budget-conscious couples should anticipate paying more on holidays than they might pay on other weekends.

Allow for a longer engagement. Regardless of which holiday you choose, keep in mind that many people make plans well in advance of a holiday. Holidays tend to be accompanied by long weekends, and your guests may already have plans for that time off from the office. In addition, families often travel to visit relatives during the holiday season at the end of the calendar year. If you plan to wed on a holiday or holiday weekend, allow for a longer engagement so your guests won’t have to cancel existing plans or miss the wedding

Expect some declined invitations. While an extended holiday weekend may seem like the perfect time to tie the knot, guests may not share that perspective. Many would-be guests likely cherish their existing holiday traditions and may be unwilling to abandon those traditions to attend a wedding. Every couple has at least a few friends or family members decline their wedding invitations, but those numbers may be more substantial for couples hosting holiday weddings.

Holiday weddings can make for some great memories, but couples must be especially diligent when planning weddings on holidays or holiday weekends.

WEDDINGS

Harrisonburg, Va.

Add a twist to bouquet toss traditions

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any brides walk down the aisle in white gowns, which have long been considered the most traditional choice.

Wearing white can be a frightening prospect to some brides, who fear that white clearly shows every blemish or stain. Protecting a white dress so it looks pristine on one’s wedding day takes a little effort, but such efforts are well worth it.

Before the wedding

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Certain traditions invite guest participation, and these can make great memories for both couples and their guests. Just because something is a tradition, however, doesn’t mean couples can’t put their own unique spin on things.

The bouquet toss is one tradition that may benefit from a little personalization. In a 2015 Jezebel poll of about 4,500 readers, 19 percent supported having a bouquet toss, but 81 percent were against it, suggesting that this tradition is ready for some updating.

The bouquet toss traces its origins to Olde English times. In those days, women used to try to rip pieces of the bride’s dress and flowers in order to obtain some of her good luck. To escape from the crowd, the bride would toss her bouquet and run away. The bouquet is tossed to single women with the idea that whoever catches it will be the next to marry. This may have placated the throngs of single ladies in olden times. Today, however, some single women are no longer interested in finding matches at a wedding and view the bouquet toss as a somewhat archaic tradition.

Others dislike the expectation that they stand on the dance floor with the hopes of finding a spouse.

For couples who want to embrace the traditional bouquet toss while giving it a more modern twist, consider the following suggestions.

Girls-only dance: Invite all of the women out on the floor — not just the single ones — and play a female-centric empowerment song or one that mentions ladies having a good time.

This puts the emphasis on having fun rather than finding a spouse.

Attach a prize to the toss. To encourage people to participate, explain that the bouquet- and garter-toss winners get prizes — and that the prize has nothing to with finding a partner.

Wedding anniversary countdown: Invite all of the married couples to the center of the dance floor. The DJ or band can play a beautiful love song and count up the years as the song plays. As each year is mentioned, couples leave the dance floor after their most recent anniversary has passed. The last couple on the dance floor marks the couple who has been married the longest. That couple gets to take home the bouquet.

Have a bridal piñata. All guests can take a turn at hitting a bouquet-shaped piñata. It’s fun and entertaining and doesn’t discriminate based on age or marital status.

With a little ingenuity, the traditional bouquet toss can be reborn.

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Keep your gown wedding white

Many couples are ready to toss aside the idea of a bouquet toss and reinvent the tradition.

art of what makes weddings such enjoyable events is the many traditions that are built into the day. Tradition lends familiarity to the proceedings and serves as unwritten cues for guests.

Monday, June 27, 2016

When trying on the gown, be sure that your hands are clean and you are not wearing any makeup. You may want to wear a thin pair of gloves so any oils from your hands are not transferred to the gown. If anyone helps you in and out of the gown, ensure their hands also are clean.

Try on the gown sparingly before the wedding, ideally only for fittings. When you are not trying it on, store it in a protective garment bag until it needs to be steamed just prior to the wedding. Some seamstresses or tailors will hold onto the gown until the final alterations are done and then steam out any wrinkles prior to delivery.

Wedding day On the day of the wedding, resist the urge to handle the gown early in the day. The gown should be the last thing you put on during wedding day preparations.

Wait until just before departing for the service to get fully dressed in your gown. Again, make sure your hands and the hands of any helpers are clean. Ask for help so that the gown can be placed gingerly over your head, avoiding any makeup in the process. Some brides may find it helpful to leave lipstick application for the very last step in getting ready. Should an accident occur, bright lipstick on the white gown can be especially difficult to conceal.

Pack an emergency stain-fighting kit to bring along to the ceremony and reception. This way, should a minor stain occur, it can be treated right away. Use sparingly because you will not know just how the cleaning product will react with the gown’s fabric, and overuse may make the stain worse. If possible, test the product on a small swatch of gown fabric prior to use.

After the wedding Use caution when removing the gown and then promptly repackage it into its garment bag. After the wedding, take the gown to a professional dry cleaner to have it cleaned and preserved. Then the gown can be used by future generations or simply saved as a keepsake.

White gowns are traditional wedding fixtures. Brides-to-be can keep their gowns looking beautiful throughout and after the wedding.

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WEDDINGS

Monday, June 27, 2016

Harrisonburg, Va.

Natalie Bouz, with husband, Sviatoslav, was married Dec. 28, 2015, in a champagne-colored dress with a light pink tint. The dress was purchased at Bridal Impressions where manager Rebecca Shelly says she has noticed more brides-to-be choosing dresses with color.

Jamie Sivinski, Mirage Photography / Courtesy Photo

The New Standard?

Local Shop Owners Say More Brides Opting For Non-White Dresses

By SHELBY MERTENS Daily News-Record

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omen have worn white wedding dresses for centuries, but more brides-to-be are ditching tradition for gowns with color and design.

Rebecca Shelly, manager of Bridal Impressions in Harrisonburg, said she has noticed a trend away from white dresses.

Ivory, a shade of off-white, has become more popular among brides, Shelly said.

“Ivory is the industry stan-

dard as it is typically flattering on most skin tones, whereas white tends to be harsh against fair skin tones,” she said.

White wedding dresses in Western history trace back to the Victorian era, and over time, it was believed to represent purity in the Judeo-Christian faith and “innocence of girlhood,” according to TIME magazine. But white wedding dresses were also a symbol of wealth in the Victorian era, the BBC reported.

In the 21st century, however, the expectation that a bride

should wear white has relaxed.

“Colors are becoming exceedingly more popular, and now most of our designers have a color option as well as ivory and white for each dress design,” Shelly said.

For brides wanting a dress with lace, ivory and champagne colors are fitting.

“The laces look really rich with these colors,” said Ann Moody, owner of Anna Joy’s Bridal & Formalwear in Harrisonburg. “It’s just prettier.”

Moody also said she’s noticed more brides chose non-

white dresses.

“They are more popular, definitely,” Moody said. “Over the last ten years, ivory was chosen far more often than white. We’re coming out with a blush color, and people are liking that.”

Bridal Impressions has kept track of all their special-ordered gowns since October 2015, when ownership of the shop changed.

Shelly said she has found that 42 percent of brides ordered dresses other than white and ivory.

“Those colors would include champagne, gold, blush, an-

tique, nude, pink, light gold and peach,” Shelly said. “We have also spoken with one of our designers, and there is a possibility of seeing violet and dusty blue toned dresses for Spring 2017.”

Shelly noted that while this is nothing new for couture and high-end bridal shops, it will be a first for mainstream bridalwear.

Natalie Bouz, 23, a former resident of New Market, married her husband, Sviatoslav, in a See STANDARD, Page 9

WEDDINGS

Harrisonburg, Va.

Monday, June 27, 2016

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Bride Says, ‘I Felt Like Cinderella’ Standard

FROM PAGE 8

champagne gown late last year.

“I thought it was unique,” she said.

Bouz purchased her dress from Bridal Impressions because her sister’s wedding dress came from the shop, and it was close to her childhood home. Bouz said she entered Bridal Impressions knowing she wanted pink and gold in her wedding but wasn’t sure about the dress. She tried both white and colored dresses, and the latter is what stuck.

“I wasn’t specifically seeking nonwhite, but I ended up liking it more,” she said. “My mother handed it to me. It was very sweet and princess-y.”

The dress, a light blush with a noticeable pink tint, was strapless with a sweetheart neckline adorned with jewels.

“It was a ball gown style,” Bouz said.

“When I tried it on, I loved it because I felt like Cinderella.”

The Bouz wedding was on Dec. 28, 2015, in Chattanooga, Tenn., and was Christmas-themed. Bouz now lives in California where she attends Loma Linda

University’s School of Pharmacy.

Some brides want not only one color, but two or three. And Anna Joy’s sells a novelty gown: camouflage.

The camo dresses are designed by Mossy Oak and Realtree and cost just under $500. Anna Joy’s also sells a neon orange necktie that goes with a matching Mossy Oak vest for men.

Anna Joy’s has three varieties of the camo dresses, two have the camouflage hunting design with tree branches and leaves. The dress can be ordered at either ¾ length or full length. The full length has a band around the waist with jewels.

The shop also has military-style camouflage dresses in either a green and brown tone or blue and brown.

However unique the camo dresses may be, Moody said they are not big sellers.

Most brides stick to one color.

“People generally go for the traditional [solid colored dress],” Moody said. “This is for the select customers.”

Contact Shelby Mertens at 574-6274 or smertens@dnronline.com

As more brides seek dresses with color, some brides are looking for dresses with two or three colors.

Anna Joy’s Bridal & Formalwear in Harrisonburg offers camouflage dresses designed by Mossy Oak and Realtree.

While the dresses are unique, Ann Moody, owner of Anna Joy’s Bridal & Formalwear, said most brides stick to one color.

Courtesy Photo

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WEDDINGS

Monday, June 27, 2016

Harrisonburg, Va.

Master wedding reception seating charts

Did you

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know?

ccording to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, the average wedding cost, excluding honeymoon costs, in the United States in 2015 was $32,641, an increase of more than $1,400 from the year

prior. Couples did not figure to fare much better in Canada when tying the knot in 2015.

According to the Annual Reader Survey from the Canada-based online wedding resource Weddingbells, couples expected to pay slightly less than $31,000 for their weddings.

However, those estimates included honeymoon costs. While no information is available regarding the cost of weddings in specific Canadian cities, the 2015 Real Weddings Study found that couples looking to tie the knot in New York City’s Manhattan borough can expect to pay well above the national average. Manhattan weddings cost couples an average of $82,299 in 2015. That’s over $20,000 more than in Chicago, the next most expensive city to tie the knot in 2015. Couples who want a more affordable place to get married than the Big Apple may want to look into saying “I do” in central Illinois, where the average wedding cost was $21,818, more than $10,000 below the national average.

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Salon & Spa Studios

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fter the vows have been exchanged and couples have donned their wedding rings, newly married couples and their guests often enjoy some well-deserved fun at the wedding reception.

Though wedding receptions are all about fun, couples may find it difficult to plan the reception seating arrangements. Such a task requires a good deal of time, sorting through guest responses and an intimate knowledge of which personalities will mesh and which will not. But some patience, diplomacy and even a little help can make the process of planning seating arrangements much easier.

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Group related people together. This relation does not have to be familial. For example, seat work friends together rather than scattering them at various tables. It’s easier for wedding guests to mingle when they have some common connection.

Younger guests are more flexible.

Recognize that younger guests are less likely to complain about where they are seated than older guests, so you have more wiggle room when arranging their tables. They can be placed at tables closer to the dance floor, near the entertainment or by the kitchen door, while older guests might want to be closer to the bride and groom and further away from distractions.

Seat immediate family members nearby.

Seat immediate family members closest to the bride and groom. Guests who fall under the acquaintance category as opposed to the

Couples may find it challenging to lay out seating arrangements at their wedding receptions. family category can be seated further away.

Place friends or party animals near the entertainment. Guests who are up for a good party may appreciate being seated close to the dance floor or within arm’s length of the refreshments.

Address mobility concerns. If a guest is elderly or needs to be close to exits or the restroom, make those accommodations.

Embrace the kids’ table. Seat young guests together if there are a number of them. Kids will have more fun sitting with one another than with adults or their parents. And seating kids together makes it easier for servers if children will be ordering from a special menu.

Expect the unexpected. Some seating arrangements may not work out. Be sure the reception site is flexible and can easily put another place setting together if an unexpected guest arrives or if someone needs to be moved to another table.

Couples must map out seating arrangements when planning their wedding receptions.

Learn to master the techniques and etiquette to make the process easier.

WEDDINGS

Harrisonburg, Va.

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Information to include on your wedding website website, and aim to include at least two hotels where guests can register under your party and receive discounted lodging.

In addition to the hotels you arrange a deal with, include some extra information about other lodging options in the area. Out-oftown guests will appreciate having as many options as possible, and couples providing that information saves guests the trouble of researching certain neighborhoods to determine if they are safe or close to the ceremony and reception sites.

Registry Wedding websites also provide a great way for couples to share registry information.

Include links that take guests directly to your online registries.

Wedding websites are a great resource for couples who want to share information about their weddings. As the big day draws closer, couples can update their sites to reflect any new developments.

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ersonal websites are an invaluable resource for couples planning their weddings. Wedding websites provide a great platform for couples to share all sorts of information regarding their big day, making them an essential element of modern-day wedding planning.

Wedding websites need not feature all the bells and whistles of more permanent sites. But while there are specific guidelines governing what to include on wedding websites, couples should be mindful to share certain information to ensure their guests stay in the know about the pending nuptials.The

participants Wedding websites can be used to inform guests about the couple getting married as well as the various participants, such as the bridesmaids and groomsmen. Extended families of the bride- and groom-to-be may not know much about their loved one’s betrothed, and the wedding website can help guests get to know both people getting married. Include information about the bridal party as well. A brief story about each bridal party member’s relationship to the bride and/ or groom can be a great way to illustrate just how much each person in the party means to the couple tying the knot.

The big day Invitations were once the go-to source for information about couples’ wedding ceremonies and receptions. But unlike invitations, websites won’t get lost around the house or in the mail, making them more reliable resources for guests. Include all the pertinent details about the big day on your website, including the time and location of both the ceremony and the reception. Include directions to and from the venue (both the ceremony and reception venues if they will be held at separate locations), and include a Google maps feature if possible.

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RSVP info Save guests the trouble of returning RSVP cards by including an RSVP section on your website. Establish an email address solely for RSVPs, and check it regularly so you can update who is and who is not attending your wedding. Couples can save the expense of postage by requesting that guests RSVP exclusively through their websites. Just be sure to include that request with the invitations if you still plan to mail more traditional invites.

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Make the first dance even more special

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onna Summer may have sung about making the most of life with her song “Last Dance” in the 1970s, but during a wedding reception most of the focus is on the first dance of the evening when the newlyweds take to the dance floor for the first time after tying the knot. Not only does the first dance give the couple an opportunity to shine on the dance floor, but it also can help set the tone for the reception to follow.

A couple’s first dance is significant.

Traditionally, the first dance was performed to a slow waltz, but now the first dance is not governed by any rules.

Many couples like to push boundaries or get creative with their first dances, and this can make the wedding even more memorable. In fact, some couples enroll in dance classes or enlist the help of choreographers to ensure an epic opening dance number. Social media is full of videos of innovative couples performing spot-on dance routines from classic dance movies like “Dirty Dancing” or beautifully choreographed dances to popular first dance songs such as “At Last” or “Can’t Help Falling in Love.”

Whether a couple wants to perform an intricate tango or simply wants to sway to the music on the first dance, here are some pointers to keep in mind.

Choose a wedding song that has meaning. It may be fun to do a dance routine to DNCE’s “Cake by the Ocean,” but remember your first dance song will forever be linked to your life as a couple.

Select a song that has deep meaning to you. Read over the lyrics to make sure it’s an appropriate wedding song.

Choose an uncomplicated routine. If dancing is not your strong suit, select

Work with a professional. If you desire something more intricate for the first dance and you have the budget to pay for some dance lessons, go for it. An instructor can take you through dance basics or help you choreograph a more polished piece.

Tame those nerves. Practicing is a way

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to feel more confident in your steps, and that will help keep nerves at bay. Many couples experience a bit of stage fright.

Just keep in mind that these friends and family are at the wedding to support you and not judge your dance moves.

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an easy song that allows you to simply sway back and forth and move around minimally. Dancing takes practice, but with that practice even the selfprofessed “worst dancer” can cut an impressive rug.

First dances are memorable moments at wedding receptions. Guests can’t wait to hear the song couples choose, and some couples exceed guests’ expectations with their impressive moves.

WEDDINGS

Harrisonburg, Va.

Monday, June 27, 2016

Choosing a hotel for wedding guests

A

s engaged couples compile their guest lists, many might realize their friends and family are spread out across the country, if not the world.

Technology has made it easier than ever before to stay connected to faraway loved ones, and engaged couples no doubt have a handful of guests on their lists who will need lodging when the wedding weekend arrives.

Many hotels cater to wedding guests, so finding a hotel should not be too difficult.

However, finding the right hotel requires couples to consider a host of factors.

Location: Location is arguably the most important consideration when choosing a wedding hotel. Hotels that are close to transportation hubs such as airports or train stations will be a welcome relief to guests who traveled far and wide to make it to your wedding. But hotels located in close proximity to your ceremony and reception sites will also be appreciated, especially come the end of the reception when guests who danced the night away will want to return to the hotel as quickly as possible. If the wedding reception is far from the nearest airport or train station, try to find a hotel close to the reception site so guests don’t feel like they have been traveling all weekend long.

Attractions: Attractions are another important factor to consider when choosing a hotel for your wedding guests.

Brides- and grooms-to-be will be busy throughout the weekend, but wedding guests who arrive in town on Friday for a Saturday ceremony will have lots of free time on their hands. Unless your wedding weekend is intended to be a weekend retreat for you and your guests, try to find a hotel in a lively neighborhood with plenty of nearby attractions so guests have something to do in the days and hours before the wedding.

Cost: Many hotels offer discounted rates to wedding guests, so couples should expect to do some negotiating before making a final decision regarding their wedding hotels. Travel is expensive, so if your list includes a lot of out-of-town guests, try to find the most affordable rate without settling for unsightly accommodations. Guests will appreciate the cost savings, and some might be more inclined to attend the wedding if the lodging is a bargain.

Couples may need to foot the bill for hotel shuttle service, though some hotels include the service if enough guests book under a certain wedding party. Some hotels even offer airport shuttle service, which can save guests even more money.

Couples hosting many out-of-town guests for their weddings should do their best to find a hotel that’s affordable, accommodating and close to their wedding venues.

Transportation: Another thing to consider when arranging lodging for outof-town guests is transportation to and from the wedding. Many hotels offer shuttle service for wedding guests, which can save guests the added expense of renting cars to get around on the day of the wedding.

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WEDDINGS

Harrisonburg, Va.

Rein in destination wedding costs

D

estination weddings can make for memorable affairs for brides, grooms and their family and friends. Destination weddings often take place in idyllic locales that make for a gorgeous backdrop to the happy couple, setting the perfect ambiance for such noteworthy occasions.

Destination weddings ask a lot of both the couple and their guests. Couples may need to visit the location of their destination wedding several times before the big day, and those costs can quickly add up. Guests, too, will need to budget for flights and lodging to attend a destination wedding. But there are some ways for couples to rein in the costs associated with a destination wedding to ensure everyone has a good time without having to worry about finances upon returning home.

Look for convenient, affordable travel. Some resorts may offer great prices on destination wedding packages, but be careful to avoid locations so remote that you and your guests will be forced to pay for expensive flights.

Destination weddings have become more popular over the last decade, and many resorts now offer competitive destination wedding packages as a result. But if keeping travel affordable for your guests is a goal, find a location that guests can visit after purchasing reasonably priced flights rather than choosing a location based on the cost of the wedding package.

Shorten the guest list. Shortening their guest lists is how many couples curtail destination wedding costs. Invite only your closest family and friends to the wedding and reception, and then host a second, less formal party for your remaining relatives after returning from your honeymoon. Guests will understand, and you will ultimately get

the chance to celebrate with all of your loved ones anyway.

Go simple and save. Many traditional weddings include all the bells and whistles, such as lavish floral displays, elaborate gowns and additional expensive accoutrements. But it’s acceptable, if not expected, to simplify things at destination weddings, especially those in island locations.

Let nature do the decorating and opt for native wedding attire if it’s more affordable than potentially costly gowns and tuxedos.

Resist peak tourist season. Much like there’s a peak wedding season throughout North America, many countries’ economies depend heavily on tourism seasons. Avoid peak tourist season when choosing the date for your destination wedding, as costs may be considerably more to marry during this time of year than less hectic and popular seasons.

Look into discounts on all aspects of the wedding. Popular destination wedding locations may be willing to negotiate prices on all aspects of the wedding, and those discounts might increase as more guests commit to attending. Resorts recognize that destination weddings bring guests who will need lodging, food and entertainment, and couples can use that to their advantage when negotiating prices. Couples may even be able to negotiate with airlines for discounted airfares if they can guarantee a certain number of travelers.

Destination weddings need not break the bank, as savvy couples can find numerous ways to trim costs.

Harrisonburg, Va.

WEDDINGS

Monday, June 27, 2016

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The pros and cons of Friday weddings C ouples give a great deal of thought to the day they choose to get married.

Many engaged couples are more attached to a particular season than a specific day, but some couples will consider any time of year to say “I do.”

Weather factors heavily into many couples’ decisions regarding when to get married.

According to The Knot 2015 Real Weddings Study, 39 percent of the nearly 18,000 U.S. brides and grooms surveyed chose to get married in the months of September, October or November, three months of the year when the weather tends to be both predictable and pleasant.

But more and more couples are paying more mind to which day of the week to get married as well. While Saturday is widely considered the most traditional day to tie the knot, couples may want to consider walking down the aisle on Friday. Friday weddings can be just as enjoyable as Saturday weddings, but there are some pros and cons to choosing Friday over Saturday.

Pros Perhaps the biggest advantage to getting married on a Friday is the cost. Wedding venues tend to be most expensive on Saturday because that’s when the majority of couples prefer to get married. While each venue is different, couples willing to get married on a Friday might find it far less expensive than getting married on a Saturday.

Another advantage to getting married on a

Some wedding venues may only host weddings on Saturdays, limiting the options available to couples looking to tie the knot on a Friday.

Friday is the opportunity to spend more time with guests. Couples who get married on a Saturday tend to be busy most of Friday and Saturday, and that leaves little time to spend with their guests, many of whom will return home first thing on Sunday morning.

But by getting married on a Friday, couples then have Saturday to spend with their guests, and they can even plan a laid back get-together like a backyard barbecue or Saturday brunch with guests who will likely stay in town through the weekend.

Cons Likely because they are so extraordinary, Friday weddings may be less popular with guests. Bridal party members may be obligated to take two days off from work in order to make it to the rehearsal dinner on Thursday night, and that might not sit well with friends and family who do not have much vacation or personal time. Even guests who are not in the bridal party may need to take a day off from work that they otherwise can avoid taking if the wedding was scheduled for Saturday or even Sunday.

Couples also should know that Friday weddings tend to begin later at night, as it’s customary to start the ceremony in the evening so guests who have to work can still arrive on time. Couples inviting several elderly guests or children may find that these people miss the ceremony and/or reception because of the later start time.

Brides- and grooms-to-be may find their options with regard to venues and entertainment are more limited when they choose to get married on a Friday instead of a Saturday. Some venues may only host weddings on Saturdays, while entertainers like deejays or bands who work day jobs during the week may not be available on Friday nights.

Couples considering tying the knot on a Friday should consider a host of factors before making their final decision.

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Harrisonburg, Va.